A New Model

Intermountain Logging Conference
will reflect a changing environment

By Diane Mettler

This April 2006, attendees will experience an improved
Intermountain Logging Conference. The conference,
which is entering its 68th year, is being tailored to
meet the demands of a changing industry, from logger to
equipment dealer.

“Last year we worked to reestablish our relationship between
natural resources professionals and the logging community.
This year we’re listening to the equipment dealers
and suppliers. We are all very much woven together, and we
are building a program that is valuable to everyone,” says
Gordy Sanders, President and conference director.

Listening to the many segments of the industry — their comments
and insights — has led to both small and large changes,
ones that the Intermountain Conference planners believe will
help them grow a better and even more effective conference.

Tailoring to Meet Needs

People may first notice the condensed schedule. Instead of
running a week, the conference will be held from April 5-7. The
show time was shortened in response to peoples’ busy schedules.But don’t expect that fewer days means less information.

“The conference title this year is Sustaining Communities
Through Professionalism and Forest Stewardship,” says
Sanders. “We will be discussing the notion of landscape level
stewardship projects that do a multitude of treatments across
a very large landscape — between 10,000 and 150,000 acres. These stewardship projects line up multiple beneficiaries creating
multiple supporters from a broad base. By working together
[wildlife, recreation, and forest management] help
each other to achieve each other’s objectives.”

“Jim Peterson will be our keynote speaker,” adds Sanders.“He’s an individual I know can easily bring together these
concepts.”

Speakers & Breakout Sessions

After the speakers have had a chance to talk about the “big picture” concepts, there will be focused breakout sessions
dealing with the nuts and bolts of running an operation.

“The equipment dealers and suppliers provided a lot of
input regarding the breakout sessions,” says Sanders. “Total,
we’re going to have nine different breakout sessions that we
will repeat twice.” A few of these sessions include:

Easy Access

Attendees will also notice less machinery this year. After
listening to the equipment suppliers, the Intermountain Conference
decided to make the equipment show a less frequent
event (approximately every three to four years). But when
they do have equipment as part of the conference, the goal
is to make it a major event.

“We have committed to — whenever the equipment dealers
and suppliers want to do an equipment show, we will do
an equipment show,” says Sanders. But attendees will still
have easy access to current equipment information. The equipment displays will be set up in the same room as
the conference and breakout sessions.

Continued adjustments and changes will take place and
Intermountain continues to work with other groups and individuals
to create a conference that is a model for an evolving
industry.

“It makes a big difference when you include everyone in
the discussion and planning of a conference, and to try to
incorporate what works well for everybody,” says Sanders.“I think we’ve lined up a program that everybody supports
and has something for everyone.”

Speakers are still being confirmed. For a current listing
and more information on the Intermountain Logging Conference,
just log on to www.intermountainlogging.com.